The Versailles Palace, in the Île-de-France region, is a top tourist spot with historical significance, ranking high among global heritage sites. For a century, it was Europe's model royal home, showcasing the work of skilled sculptors, decorators, and architects. With 700 rooms, visitors can explore the palace's rich culture for days. Each room features ceiling frescoes and detailed designs, enhancing its beauty. To navigate the vast palace, head directly to its most famous site: the Hall of Mirrors Versailles.
Hall of Mirrors Versailles
When one thinks of the Palace of Versailles, one immediately thinks of ornate gardens, magnificent architecture, and exquisite decoration. If it had to be described in a word, it would be 'royal', because nothing says luxurious the way the Palace does. However, one of the most opulent parts of this extremely grandoise Palace is the Hall of Mirrors Versailles. Bedecked with mirrors throughout and overlooking the lush gardens of the palace, the Hall of Mirrors just cannot be missed when in Versailles!
What Makes The Hall of Mirrors Versailles Special
Many claim that the true opulence of the Palace of Versailles is depicted through its central gallery, the Hall of Mirrors. Renowned as the most important room of the Palace, the Hall of Mirrors houses 357 mirrors that overlook the gardens through arcaded windows. Visitors are often enticed by the serene beauty of it all, but what's exciting for most people is that they get to walk in the very hallway where once the French royal family strolled.
This hall has 17 arches covered in mirrors, with 21 mirrors in each arch, making 357 mirrors in total. They are set in marble columns. These arches represent the power of France, showing symbols important to the country. They were made to show the strength of the French monarchy back then.
Fun fact: The most famous event happened in 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed there. This Treaty was very important because it ended World War I that lasted for four years. The signing of this treaty in the Hall of Mirrors was a big moment in history because it marked the end of the war and started a time of peace.
Here's Why You Shouldn't Miss This
Hall of Mirrors was constructed in 1678 by a dedicated group of 30,000 workers who toiled day and night to create the majestic palace that we see today. The gold-framed windows were designed particularly to let in “heavenly” light through the panes, while providing a magical view of the lush gardens. Here's what's interesting: Back in the 17th century, when the Hall was being constructed, it was decided that all the construction should be French. Given the the Hall of Mirrors required mirrors, this posed a bit of a problem. Back in the day, Venice had a monopoly on the manufacturing of mirrors. The French convinced some Venetian artists to come to France and start manufacturing this rare commodity.
Nothing says 'opulence' like a 75-meter long ballroom with 17 huge mirrors on one side, and arcaded windows on the other, overlooking the formal gardens. A visual treat, the Palace was also the home for various other historically significant elements. For instance, the gilded bronze capitals on the arcs include the fleur-de-lys. Sadly enough, most of these elements are no longer present in the Hall of Mirrors, as they were lost during war for various reasons (financial reasons being at the top of the list). Some of the other signigicant pieces were silver table pieces and the guéridons. Interestingly enough, these were melted by order of Louis XIV.
Hall of Mirrors Versailles Tickets
To understand the significance and history of the Hall of Mirrors, we recommend a Palace of Versailles tour with a historian guide. If you'd rather explore the Palace by yourself, here are the top recommended Palace of Versailles tickets.
Hall of Mirrors Versailles Practical Information
Open Hours and Timings
The Hall of Mirrors Versailles remains closed on Mondays. For rest of the week it opens at 9 AM, and closes at 5:30 PM.
Getting There
It is very easy to get to the Versailles Palace from Paris:
Train: Line C of the RER regional train system from the centre of Paris (Champs de Mars, Invalides, Musée d'Orsay, etc.) to The Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. This just takes a 10 minute walk to the Palace from this station.
Bus: 171 of the RATP system runs between Pont de Sèvres and the Palace of Versailles.
Tips on Visiting the Hall of Mirrors Versailles
- The best time to visit the Hall of Mirrors is ideally between mornings and afternoons, preferably on weekdays. This helps you beat the crowd and queues.
- While going to Versailles, don’t miss out on the infamous fountain shows. When the sun sets, the entire garden is illuminated with palace lights and the musical fountain show is simply stunning. Read our complete guide to the Gardens & Fountain Show at Versailles.
- Between June 17 and September 16, you can catch a special fountain show, with a firework display.
- There is a quite a bit of walking involved, so be sure to strap on a pair of comfortable footwear.
- Read our detailed guide on Palace of Versailles entrances and pick the right entrance for your visit.
